Culture Minister Jose Herrera, and Labour MP Rosianne Cutajar, who also serves as parliamentary secretary, have come up in defence of their political opponent Roberta Metsola after the Nationalist MEP was attacked on Facebook former V18 artistic director Mario Azzopardi.
Azzopardi uploaded a photo of the MEP, with the following text: "It is so difficult not to hate this sick woman. How can she sleep at night knowing that the country hates her with a passion. They hate you, Roberta." Many people from the PN camp defended the Nationalist MEP, who also said that she will not be intimidated by Azzopardi’s comments, and now it seems a number of Labour MPs have also done so.
Herrera, in a tweet, said: "Although I firmly advocate in favour of freedom of expression and speech, any comments or criticism made in a manner that instigates hate cannot be tolerated in our society. This is irrespective of who, when, how and where such statements are made."
Posting her comment on Facebook, Cutajar said that what was written about Metsola was “disgusting”.
Cutajar has now added her voice to the disdain that has been expressed in public against Azzopardi.
“I do not need to defend her; as a woman in politics she now has a thick skin and can do so on her own.
“My message is that in politics one debates and shares ideas. There is not always agreement (I do not agree much with Metsola). But insults and an incitement towards hatred is not acceptable.
“It is this lack of civilised debate that leads to hatred and unfortunately also violence. Let us not be part of it.